Porkstars: Christmas Hams in Season & Victoria's Best Revealed

Decorations have been up for months, but the appearance of Christmas hams is the sure sign the festive season has arrived and Victoria’s best have today been revealed. The World Loves Melbourn ewas invited to the launch of Christmas Ham Season in Sydney.

Australian Pork Limited Marketing Manager, Mitch Edwards, said Christmas ham season had arrived and the Australian PorkMark Ham Awards helped people find a great tasting ham for their celebrations.

“A judging panel assessed more than 140 entries against a range of criteria, from appearance and aroma to texture and taste,” he said. “The Australian PorkMark Ham Awards recognise the best hams made from 100% home-grown pork and once again our judges were impressed by the quality.”

Fleischmeister Horst Schurger, who has a Master’s Degree in Butchering and Smallgoods from the Master College in Monchengladbach, Germany, joined chefs, Paul McDonald and Simon Bestley, on the judging panel.

In Victoria, the top performing ham was from Lago and Paramount Smallgoods, taking out first place for its traditional bone-in ham, plus third place nationally. Rounding out the Victorian bone-in category was Andrew’s Choice, second, and Otway Pork, third. The best Victorian boneless ham was from Andrew’s Choice, with Peter Bouchier, second, and Lago third.

“Judges were again impressed with the quality of entries and we hope this will help people select the perfect centrepiece for their festive feasts,” Mr Edwards said.

“While all Traditional Bone-in Hams are proudly Australian, many people are surprised to find more than two thirds of ham sold in Australia is made from imported pork.

“So, if you’re buying a boneless ham, look for the pink PorkMark or the words Product of Australia.”

Australia’s Best Artisan Ham and Best Boneless Ham was won by Pingelly Quality Meats, Pingelly, Western Australia. Australia’s Best Traditional Bone-in Ham was won by Barossa Fine Foods, Edinburgh North, South Australia. Best Nationally Available ham was awarded to Woolworths, for its Woolworths Half Leg Ham – Bone In.

For more winners of this year’s Australian PorkMark Ham Awards, plus recipes, tips and tricks for your Christmas ham, visitwww.pork.com.au